DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,585

M & B WINDOW FASHIONS
A DIVISION OF HUNTER DOUGLAS
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM ACCOUNTABILITIES AND
INTERSTATE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance
and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
The investigation was initiated on May 25, 2007 in response to
a petition filed on behalf of workers of M & B Window Fashions,
Inc., a Hunter Douglas division, Los Angeles, California. Workers
at the subject firm are considered as separately identifiable
producing window coverings - wood, honeycomb, and verticals.
The subject firm also utilized leased workers from
Accountabilities and Interstate.
It is determined that the requirements of (a)(2)(B) of Section
222 have been met for workers engaged in the production of wood
window coverings.
The number of workers producing wood window coverings at the
subject facility declined from 2006 to January through April 2007.
The subject facility is shifting a portion of their wood
window coverings production from Los Angeles, California, to a
country (Mexico) that is a party to a free trade agreement with the
United States.
Furthermore, it is determined that the requirements of
(a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been met for workers engaged in the
production of honeycomb window coverings and vertical window
coverings.
Employment related to and production of both honeycomb window
coverings and vertical window coverings at the subject firm
declined from 2006 to January through April 2007.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of products like or
directly competitive with honeycomb window coverings and vertical
window coverings to in 2005, 2006, and January through April 2007.
This survey revealed increased imports of products like or
directly competitive with honeycomb window coverings and vertical
window coverings during the relevant period.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of
1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that
are like or directly competitive with wood window coverings
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. Additionally, I
determine that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with honeycomb window coverings and vertical window
coverings produced at the subject firm, contributed importantly to
the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in
sales or production at that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:







"All workers of M & B Window Fashions, Inc., a Hunter Douglas
division, Los Angeles, California, including on-site leased
workers from Accountabilities and Interstate, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
April 23, 2006 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 31st day of July 2007

/s/Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance